Damage to parked car: what do I need to do, and what will my insurance pay?
Imagine you finish your shopping, only to find scratches and dents on your car door. But there’s no need to worry. Your insurance pays if your car was damaged while parked – or does it? Comparis explains what you need to know.
31.01.2024
iStockphoto/Albina Gavrilovic
1. What is damage to a parked car?
Not all damage to stationary vehicles is considered “parking damage” in the eyes of the insurance company. The decisive factor is who causes the damage:
If an unknown person damages your parked car, it is considered parking damage. This is where – if available – cover for damage while parked applies.
If the perpetrator is known, the liability insurance of the person who caused the damage pays.
If you damaged your own car, it is covered by full casco insurance (if you have it). From an insurance point of view, it is considered a collision.
How much does cover for damage while parked cost?
Different insurers offer different models. There are big differences in the number of insured claims per year and in the maximum insured amount per claim. Premiums vary accordingly.
Example of parking damage that is covered: imagine you parked your car in the blue zone and went shopping. After shopping, you return to your vehicle and notice a new scratch on the door. There is no trace of the wrongdoer. If you have parked-car damage insurance, it covers the costs — minus any excess.
2. Car damaged while parked: what should I do?
Report the damage as quickly as possible. In some cases, insurance companies require a police report when you report parking damage in Switzerland. Who you contact first depends on how the accident happened:
| Who caused the damage? | Damage to someone else’s car | |
|---|---|---|
| Who do I need to contact? | Depends on the person who caused the damage:
|
Owner of the vehicle, own liability insurance, police if applicable |
I caused damage to someone else’s parked vehicle – what do I do now?
Wait for the owner of the car and fill out the accident report together.
Notify the police if the owner of the car cannot be found. Otherwise, you are making yourself liable to prosecution.
3. Is parked car damage insurance worthwhile?
Parked car damage insurance can be particularly worthwhile for owners of new cars. If you often park your car in public spaces, insurance is certainly an option worth considering. However, some insurance companies only offer the parked-car damage insurance option for vehicles that are less than four or five years old.
Will full casco insurance pay for damage while parked?
Do you have full casco insurance without additional parking damage cover? Depending on your insurance policy, third-party parking damage may already be covered by your full casco insurance. Check your policy to find out what applies.
In terms of insurance, however, this is considered a matter for full casco insurance. In the event of damage, you usually have to pay the regular deductible. In addition, there is also a risk of loss of bonus for full casco claims, depending on the insurance model.
4. Do I need full casco insurance to cover damage to a parked car?
Many providers insure parking damage under full casco insurance. To do this, you must select the optional “damage to parked car” add-on. Certain insurances also offer the parking damage supplement as part of partial casco policies.
Compare car insurance
Insurance costs vary significantly in some cases. This applies equally to full casco insurance and the parked-car damage add-on. It therefore makes sense to compare your options.
5. Who pays for damage to a parked car?
Have you caused damage to someone else’s parked car? If so, this is covered by your liability insurance.
If your vehicle has also been damaged as a result, your full casco insurance will pay – if you have it. In this case, you normally have to pay a deductible.
Has an unknown person damaged your parked car? If you’ve taken out a parking damage add-on, it will cover the repair costs in this case.
With motor vehicle liability insurance, you pay into a national guarantee fund every year. You are enrolled automatically. After deducting an excess of 1,000 francs, the fund covers the costs of damage caused by unidentified vehicles. But remember: the fund can only be accessed if no other insurance covers the damage. Vandalism, such as a scratched body or broken windows, is not included. You need a police report to access this fund.
Phone number of the Swiss National Guarantee Fund: 0800 831 831
Car vandalism or intentional damage are excluded from parked-car damage insurance. Partial casco insurance applies here instead. But don’t forget: most insurers exclude events like riots and uprisings.
This article was first published on 29.07.2019
